ADES Wins $92.7 Million Nigeria Offshore Drilling Deal with Seplat, Strengthens West Africa Presence
ADES International Holding has secured a $92.7 million offshore drilling contract in Nigeria with Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, marking a further expansion of its footprint in West Africa’s oil and gas sector.
The agreement covers the operation of the Shelf Drilling Victory rig for an initial two-year period, with options for extension.
The contract, originally valued at 347.6 million Saudi riyals, includes mobilisation and start-up costs, as well as the participation of a local Nigerian partner aligning with efforts to strengthen local content in offshore projects.
This latest award adds to ADES’s growing portfolio in Nigeria, bringing its cumulative offshore contract value in the country to approximately $843.5 million between 2025 and 2026.
Nigeria has become a strategic growth market for ADES as it expands beyond its traditional base in the Middle East.
The company entered the Nigerian market in 2025 through a $21.8 million drilling and completion contract with Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, which involved deploying the Admarine 504 jack-up rig to drill six wells over one year.
ADES has since scaled up significantly. In March 2026, it secured a major contract worth up to $729 million to deploy three jack-up rigs under Nigeria’s Offshore Fields Development Project.
That deal was awarded by a West African exploration entity linked to the Dangote Group, marking a major step in the company’s regional expansion.
Together, these contracts reflect a clear progression in ADES’s strategy from smaller entry-level projects to large-scale, multi-rig offshore developments and longer-term engagements with established operators.
Mohamed Farouk said the company’s expansion into Nigeria aligns with its broader international growth ambitions, particularly in high-potential offshore markets. He noted that the company’s acquisition of Shelf Drilling has strengthened its global platform and access to key clients.
Farouk added that West Africa remains a priority region as demand for offshore drilling services continues to grow. He emphasized that ADES is well-positioned to capitalize on evolving market conditions, supported by a strong asset base and operational capabilities.
Industry analysts note that Nigeria’s offshore sector is attracting renewed investment as operators seek to boost production amid shifting global energy dynamics.
Both deepwater and shallow offshore assets remain central to the country’s long-term output strategy.
For ADES, the latest contract reinforces Nigeria’s role as a key growth hub within its global portfolio, as the company continues to pursue opportunities across Africa and other emerging offshore markets.
